Exeter V Mansfield at St James Park : Match Preview

15 December 2016 03:34

Paul Tisdale hopes to have Troy Archibald-Henville back to boost his defensive options for the home clash with Mansfield.

Tisdale was short of centre-backs for last week's 3-1 win at Cheltenham, with Jordan Moore-Taylor, Pierce Sweeney, Luke Croll and Archibald-Henville missing.

However, the 28-year-old, who has been struggling with knee and groin injuries all season, returned to training this week and could be joined by Moore-Taylor (illness), while Croll is also nearing a return to training.

Jordan Tillson could be set for a return to the starting XI following his comeback from injury, and may come in for Matt Oakley, who he replaced after half-time on Saturday.

Mansfield manager Steve Evans has some players nursing knocks but nothing that should prevent him from having an unchanged squad.

Midfielder Mitch Rose and striker Darius Henderson were deemed fit enough to be involved last weekend after injuries but both were unused substitutes during the goalless home draw with Colchester.

Kyle Howkins, on loan from West Brom, is scheduled to play a behind-closed-doors game for his parent club as part of his recovery from a hamstring injury and Evans expects to have him back in contention for the Boxing Day clash against Morecambe.

However, fellow central defenders George Taft (hamstring) and Corbin Shires (knee) are both recovering from operations and are not yet ready to return to action.